A recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research has unveiled significant insights into how sexual satisfaction evolves among couples during the transition to parenthood. Researchers found that while sexual satisfaction generally increases after childbirth, this improvement tends to slow down around eight months postpartum. Moreover, attachment styles appear to play a crucial role in these satisfaction trajectories.
The journey to parenthood, a phase filled with profound changes and challenges, is known to impact various aspects of a couple’s relationship, including their sexual satisfaction. Understanding this dynamic is crucial, as a fulfilling sexual life not only nurtures intimacy but is also linked to psychological well-being and relationship stability.
Previous studies have shed light on the changes in sexual functions postpartum, but there was a gap in understanding how sexual satisfaction itself changes during this critical period, and how couples’ attachment styles might influence these changes. This prompted researchers to delve into the transitional period to parenthood to unravel these complex dynamics.
“We were interested by this topic for several reasons,” said study author Audrey Brassard, a full professor at the University of Sherbrooke and director of the Couple & Sexuality Research Lab.
“Firstly, attachment plays a fundamental role in an individual’s functioning, particularly within a romantic relationship. Attachment anxiety (self-doubts, fear of abandonment) and attachment avoidance (discomfort with intimacy, independence) have been related to difficulties regarding sexuality as well.
“Secondly, the transition to parenthood is a significant milestone experienced by numerous couples. Lastly, sexual satisfaction emerges as a decisive factor in the continuation or dissolution of a romantic relationship. Given these considerations, we were eager to explore the interconnections among these variables.”
The study recruited 221 first-time parent couples, including seven same-sex/gender couples, all in the second trimester of pregnancy. The criteria for participation were age (18 years or older), cohabitation, daily internet access, and fluency in French. High-risk pregnancies were excluded due to their potential impact on sexual satisfaction and anxiety levels.
Participants were asked to complete online questionnaires at four different stages: during the second trimester and at 4, 8, and 12 months postpartum. Each session took about 30 to 45 minutes. The questionnaires covered a range of topics, including sociodemographic information, sexual satisfaction, and attachment styles.
Sexual satisfaction was assessed using the French version of the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction. This tool comprises five questions rated on a seven-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater satisfaction.
Attachment styles were measured using the French version of the Experiences in Close Relationships scale, which assesses attachment anxiety and avoidance on a seven-point Likert scale.
The study revealed several key findings about the sexual satisfaction trajectories of new parents. First, it was observed that sexual satisfaction decreased during pregnancy but generally improved in the year following childbirth.
Interestingly, this upward trend in satisfaction seemed to decelerate around eight months postpartum. This pattern suggests that while couples initially adapt well to their new roles as parents, certain challenges, potentially including the return to work and related stressors, might impact their sexual relationship.
The researchers also found that partners’ attachment styles played a significant role in these satisfaction trajectories. For instance, being in a relationship with a partner high in attachment anxiety — characterized by a fear of rejection and a strong need for reassurance in relationships — was linked to greater improvement in sexual satisfaction from pregnancy to 12 months postpartum, but this improvement slowed down over time.
“We were surprised to discover that when new parents are paired with an anxiously attached partner, they reported a steeper increase in their own sexual satisfaction up to four months postpartum,” Brassard told PsyPost. “This suggests that a new parent with higher attachment anxiety may place a higher value on sexuality and invest efforts to preserve the couple’s sex life in the early postpartum period.”
In contrast, those with higher attachment avoidance — marked by discomfort with closeness and a preference for independence — reported lower sexual satisfaction during pregnancy. In addition, being in a relationship with a partner high in attachment avoidance was linked to a slower rate of improvement in sexual satisfaction postpartum.
“The average person should understand that fluctuations in sexual satisfaction among couples of new parents are normal,” Brassard explained. “While the sexual satisfaction of expectant parents may decrease during pregnancy, it tends to improve during the postpartum period for the majority of couples.
“Parents most vulnerable to declines in prenatal sexual satisfaction are those with attachment avoidance. Therefore, if you are facing sexual challenges before or after the birth of your first child, do not hesitate to discuss these issues with your healthcare professional.”
But the study, like all research, includes some limitations.
“As attachment may vary throughout the transition to parenthood, future research should explore attachment across all measurement points,” Brassard said. “This will help determine whether changes in sexual satisfaction are independent of fluctuations in attachment. The generalization of our results is also limited by the lack of sexual and cultural diversity, as the majority of couples where cisgender men and women from the province of Québec, Canada.”
The study, “Romantic Attachment and Sexual Satisfaction Trajectories Among Couples Transitioning to Parenthood“, was authored by Gabrielle Bourque-Morel, Laurence Grenier, Laurie Arseneault, Shalie-Emma Vaillancourt, Audrey Brassard, Anne Brault-Labbé, Marie-France Lafontaine, and Katherine Péloquin.